Multipurpose sanding machine



y 1969 M. BROSCOFF ET AL 3,452,485

MULTIPURPOSE SANDINGYMACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1967 Sheet I of 3 "0 vacuum Source INVENTORS,

marylf Broscaff I Zdd Tackei-z July 1, 1969 BRQSCOFF ET AL 3,452,485

MULTIPURPOSE SANDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1967 Sheet 3 of s INVENTORS/ 7775/9 Efirosco/f Eda Fwd eff 5/ in j x a m? 6%, ATTORNEY).

July 1, 1969 BRQSCQFF ET AL 3,452,485

MULTIPURPOSE SANDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30. 1967 Sheet J of 5 INVENTORS, mars; l. Brbscoff Edd Tackei' BY: 'ZJM/J W flMm/ am ATTORNEYS:

Patented July 1, 1969 3 452,485 MULTIPURPOSEl SANDING MACHINE Mary E. Broscolf, 623 Holloman Air Force Base, N. Mex. 88330, and Edd Tackett, Box 5073, Fort Lee, Va. 23801 Filed Aug. 30, 1967, Ser. No. 665,201 Int. Cl. B24b 7/04, 7/28, 27/06 US. Cl. 51109 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

Existing sanding machines usually sand in either a rotary manner or in a reciprocating manner, and it is necessary to use separate machines to accomplish these operations. Also existing sanding machines have one sanding head that is limited to the size of the work piece. It is necessary to change the sanding heads to accommodate workpieces of varying sizes.

With the present invention, one machine will sand work pieces of a large variety of sizes by a simple adjustment of the sanding heads on the sanding member and also the work table. By a simple substitution of a connecting arm for a belt in the sanding member a reciprocating action is imparted thereto for sanding in a back and forth direction.

The present invention has for an object to provide a machine that is capable in sanding, or cutting, in both a circular and a reciprocating manner.

Another object is the provision of a sanding machine having radially adjustable sanding members and workpiece holding means.

A further object is to provide means associated with a sanding machine to clean sawdust or like waste from the work holding table during its operation.

A still further object is to provide a sanding machine capable of accommodating workpieces of varying sizes.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the machine of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 2 is a detail view, partly in elevation, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the work table only and taken along plane 5-5 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sanding arms only and taken along plane 66 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the chuck adjusting arms on the work table and taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail taken along line 88 of FIG. 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of one of the chucks;

FIG. 10 is a similar view of a modified chuck;

FIG. 11 is a somewhat schematic view of the arrangement for providing a reciprocal movement to the work table;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of one of the sanding heads and showing a vacuum unit attached thereon; and

FIG. 13 is a top plan view, partly in section of a sanding head and showing an alternate means of attaching the same on one of the sanding arms.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 wherein the complete assembly is shown, it will be seen that the invention consists essentially of a supporting framework, a sanding mechanism and a work table mechanism and will be described as follows:

Supporting framework The framework is indicated generally by reference character 1 and includes a base 2 and an upwardly extending supporting standard 3. Standard 3 curves upwardly and inwardly, as shown, and is provided with a pair of inwardly extending, vertically spaced legs 4 and 5 at its upper portion. A detachable control housing 6 completes the framework 1.

Sanding mechanism The sanding mechanism is indicated generally by 7 and is best viewed in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIG. 3, and consists of a hollow shaft 8 which is provided with a pair of spaced collars 9 and 10 fixed thereon which have flanges 11 and 12 respectively at their upper ends.

Collars 9 and 10 are rotatably mounted in a pair of pillow block bearings 13 and '14 which are vertically and detachably mounted to legs 4 and 5 respectively of frame 1.

Each collar 9 and 10 is permitted a limited amount of vertical adjustment along shaft 8 (see FIG. 3). A longitudinal groove 15 cut in shaft 8 is adapted to receive a set screw 15a which is threaded through each flange 1-1 and 12. This adjustment is for proper positioning of shaft 8 to accommodate its mounting in the pillow block bearings 13 and 14 and with respect to the work table.

The lower end of shaft 8 is externally threaded as shown, and a spider, having a disc 17 which also provides a closure for the lower end of shaft 8, is threaded onto the lower end of shaft '8. The spider includes a series of horizontally disposed rods 18, each being threaded throughout their length, and threaded into the radial, internally threaded bores in disc 17 as seen in FIG. 3. Rods v18 could also be welded to disc 17, the method in FIG. 3 being shown by way of example only. While four rods 18 are shown, their number may vary as required.

A sanding head is mounted on each rod 18 and consists of a block 19 as seen in FIG. 12. A strip of sandpaper 20 is wrapped along its lower surface to be bent around its ends and clamped by a plate 21 which is tightened by a bolt 22. While only one head is shown for each rod 18, several could be arranged on each rod as required.

Instead of a strip of sandpaper, a cutter (not shown) could be carried by the bottom surface of each block 19 for milling, groove cutting or the like.

One means for mounting block 19 on rod 18 is illustrated in FIG. 12 and consists of a wire spring 23 shaped as shown to bias against rod 18. The wire spring 23 is rested in a cut-out 24 in block 19. The inner surface of the upper end of cut-out 24 may be provided withan arcuate groove 24a to receive a portion of rod 18 and threaded (not shown) so that block 19 may be pushed upwardly against the bias of spring 23 and moved to a selected position along rod 18.

An alternate method of mounting block 19 on rod 18 is seen in FIG. 13 wherein cut-out 24 is eliminated. A smooth transverse bore 25 is provided in block 19 instead. A bushing 26 having an internally threaded bore 26:: is fitted in bore 25 and receives a rod 18 therethrough. Bushing 26 is provided at one end with a flange 26b bearing against a side of block 18.

A nut 27 having a reduced portion 28 is threaded on rod 18 and is tightened against bushing 26. A spring detent 29 fixed at one end to a side of block 19 engages in one of a series of circumferentially arranged holes 30 on reduced portion 28 to position the angle of block 19 as desired. A set screw 31 in nut 27 provides securement of nut 27 on rod 18, once it is tightened.

Means for rotating shaft 8 are provided and comprises an electric motor 32 mounted on standard 3 as seen in FIG. 1. A pulley fixed on shaft 8 is in driving connection with a pulley 35 on motor 32 by a V-belt 34. While this method of driving the shaft 8 is shown, other drive means may be employed such as gearing, etc.

Means for removing sawdust caused by sanding heads 19 are associated with shaft 8 and one or more of the heads 19 and are seen in FIGS. 1 and 12. This means is a vacuum system and consists of a hose 36 connected to a closure 37 in the top of hollow shaft 8. Hose 36 is connected to a vacuum source such as a pump, not shown.

Another hose 38 is connected to the lower portion of hollow shaft 8 and leads to a vacuum tube 39 (see FIG. 12) to which a brush or like sweeping device 40 is attached to one end thereof. An integral neck extension 41 provides a means for the attachment of the vacuum tube 39 to a sanding head.

While only one vacuum means is shown, more than one means could be employed by attaching a vacuum tube assembly 39 to each sanding head 19.

Work table mechanism This mechanism is indicated generally by 43. The work table per se comprises a circular plate 44 which is detachable from the rest of the mechanism. Plate 44 is provided with a downwardly extending post 45 which is attached centrally to plate 44 by screws 46, as shown, or by other means such as welding, etc.

The upper side of plate 44 is provided with a series of symmetrically arranged, radially extending channels 47 as seen best in FIG. 5.

A threaded rod 48 rotatably supported longitudinally in each channel 47 (three grooves being shown in FIG. by any expedient means. One means being illustrated by way of example is a pillow block mounting 49' at one of its ends and at its other as at 50. Pillow blocks 49 and 50 are fixed to the floor of channels 47 by screws 51 or like means.

The rods rotate freely in pillow blocks 49 and 50. Each rod has its outer end shaped as a nut head 52 for application of a wrench (not shown) for turning it. A crank (not shown) could also be used. The other end of rods 48 have a circular flange 53 rotatable in pillow block hearing 50 to prevent axial movement.

A work engaging chuck 54 is threaded on each rod 48 and will ride along the rod as it is turned. Each chuck can be adjusted in a radial direction depending on the size and shape of a workpiece (not shown) which is engaged thereby.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, alternate forms of a chuck are shown. In FIG. 9, chuck 55 has a longitudinal threaded bore 56 to receive a rod 48. A removable plate 57 fastens onto chuck 55 and clamps the workpiece when tightened by screws 58.

In FIG. a solid block 59, having a longitudinal threaded bore as in FIG. 9, has a vertical screw 60 which engages against the workpiece. The screw 60 can also be removed and used to be screwed through the workpiece if desired.

The upper surface of plate 44 may be provided with concentric circular markings 61 for purposes of centering a workpiece thereon.

If desired, ribs 62 may be provided to add rigidity to the plate 44.

Plate 44 is supported by a vertically disposed shaft 63 which is provided with an axial socket 64 at its upper end to receive post 45 of plate 44 therein. A shock absorbing spring 65 in socket 64 provides resiliency to plate 44. Shaft 63 is in axial alignment with shaft 8'.

Shaft 63 is rotatably supported in a vertically disposed pillow block mounting 66 carried by a portion of standard 3 (see FIG. 1).

In FIGS. 2 and 4 are shown the means for rotating shaft 63 to provide vertical adjustment of plate 44 relative to the sanding mechanism 7.

Shaft 63 is threaded along a substantial portion of its length and normally is rotatably mounted in pillow block mounting 66 by a pair of guides 67 and 68. A bevel gear 69 is threadable on shaft 63 and this gear is rotatably mounted in a bearing 70 fixed in pillow block mounting 66 which has an annular flange 71 which fits in a circular groove 72 in a reduced portion of gear 69, as shown. Flange 71 prevents axial movement of gear 69 while turning.

An electric motor 73 is mounted in standard 3 as seen in FIG. 2 and the motor shaft 74 carries a bevel gear 75 which normally meshes with bevel gear 69 to rotate shaft 63 for elevating or lowering plate 44.

Means are provided for adjusting the height of plate 44 by manual means instead of by the electric motor 73 if desired. These means are housed in control housing 6 and is shown in FIG. 2 in detail and consists of a shaft 76 supported for rotation by a support 77 fixed to a wall of housing 6 and bearing 78 and 79 as shown. A magnetic clutch 73a may be used to disengage motor 73 with shaft 74 when the manual means are used.

A hand wheel 80 is mounted to one end of shaft 76 which extends outside the housing 6 and a beveled gear 81 is carried by the other end and meshes with gear 69.

An electric cable 82 connects a pair of switches 82a and 82b to the motors 32 and 73 for individual operation, and a lead-in cable 83 having a connector plug 84 at one end is connected to switches 82a and 82b.

If it is desired to sand or cut a work piece using a reciprocating motion an arrangement for accomplishing this is shown in FIG. 11.

In this arrangement, pulley 33 is replaced by a disc 33a which is provided with a series of radially arranged holes 85. Motor pulley 35 is replaced by a disc 86 and an arm 86b is pivotally connected to disc 86 as at 87 at one of its ends.

Arm 86 is provided with a series of longitudinally arranged holes 88 at its other end and pivotally connected by a pivot 89 to one of the holes 85.

This will impart a 'back and forth movement to shaft 8 when motor 32 is activated.

Frictional force in the work table mechanism will ordinarily prevent rotation of the shaft 63 and plate 44 with the sanding heads 19, but should a heavier pressure he required, means (not shown) could be incorporated in shaft 63 to prevent any rotation such as a key and keyway.

Operation The operation of the machine is quick and simple. Plug 84 is inserted in a suitable electric power outlet (not shown). Chucks 54 are backed off by use of a wrench applied to rods 48 and a work piece is placed on plate 44 and centered by concentric circular markings 61. Then chucks are moved by rods 48 towards the work piece and tightened against it.

The plate 44 is then raised by activating motor 73 until the workpiece is in contact with sanding heads 19. For finer adjustment, hand wheel 80 may 'be used. (In this case, magnetic clutch 52 will be energized to free motor shaft 74 to idle.)

With motor 73 inactive, motor 32 is energized to rotate the sanding heads 19 over the workpiece.

The vacuum hose, when connected to a vacuum power source, will suck up any sawdust on plate 44.

Sanding heads 19 may be moved along rods 18 to accommodate the workpiece. They can be arranged in a circle or offset as desired.

The operation of the machine in reciprocal sanding or cutting would be the same as in circular sanding.

When the operation is completed, the plate 44 is lowered and the workpiece removed by loosening chucks 54.

It is apparent from the foregoing, that a versatile machine has been provided and is useful in sanding in a circular or reciprocal motion, over irregular surfaces, as a polisher, wood shaper or milling.

The machine further can be used as a drill press by slight modification if needed.

While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, other forms of the invention are contemplated and numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose sanding machine comprising in combination:

(a) a supporting framework including a base, a standard rising from said base and forming a pair of spaced, inwardly extending legs at its upper portion and having a control housing attached to its lower portion,

(b) a hollow shaft rotatably mounted to said legs on said standard,

(c) driving means for rotating said hollow shaft carried by said standard and said hollow shaft,

(d) a spider carried by the lower end of said hollow shaft and including a disc threadably closing the lower end thereof and a series of threaded rods extending radially from said disc,

(e) at least one sanding head adjustably mounted on said rods,

(f) a work holding table disposed below said spider and being in axial alignment with said hollow shaft and including a centrally disposed post extending downwardly therefrom,

(g) radially adjustable work clamping means carried by the upper side of said work table,

(h) operating means housed in the lower portion of said standard for the support and axial adjustment of said work table relative to said spider, and,

(i) means associated with said hollow shaft and a said sanding head for eliminating waste material from said Work table during operation of said machine.

2. A multipurpose sanding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means for said hollow shaft comprises an electric motor supported on said standard, a first pulley driven by said motor, a second pulley fixed on said rotatable shaft and a belt connecting said first and second pulleys.

3. A multipurpose sanding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means for said shaft comprises an electric motor supported on said standard, a first disc driven by said motor, a second disc fixed on said rotatable shaft, there being a radially extending line of holes in said second disc and an arm having a series of longitudinally arranged holes at one of its ends, said arm being pivotally connected at one of its ends to said first disc and at its other end to said second disc by a pivot through one of said holes in said arm and said second disc whereby when said motor is activated said hollow shaft is rotated in a reciprocal manner.

4. A multipurpose sanding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sanding head comprises a block having a transverse cut-out therein, an abrasive strip wrapped about its lower surface and clamped to each of its sides, there being an arcuate groove in the upper surface of said cut-out and a wire spring rested in said cutout and being arcurately curved at its upper end whereby it will bear against the under side of a said rod on said spider and hold said block in a selected position therealong.

5. A multipurpose sanding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sanding head comprises a block having a transverse, smooth bore therethrough, an internally threaded bushing in said bore and having a flange at one of its ends, a nut having a reduced portion threaded on a said rod on said spider and adapted to be tightened against said block when said block is threaded on a rod on said spider, there being a series of circumferentially arranged holes arranged on said reduced portion and a detent on said block and adapted to fit into one of said block on said rod.

6. A multipurpose sanding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said work table comprises a circular plate, a center post depending from said plate and fixed centrally thereto, there being a series of radially disposed grooves in the upper side of said plate and extending from a point adjacent to said center post through the rim of said plate, a threaded rod supported longitudinally in each said groove and a chuck threadably engaged on each said rod whereby when a said rod is rotated, at said chuck will move to or from the center of said plate.

7. A multipurpose sanding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for the support and axial adjustment of said work table comprises a pair of spaced, internally threaded guides supported in the lower portion of said standard, a threaded shaft threadably mounted in said guides, a first beveled gear having an annular groove threadably mounted on said shaft and disposed between said guides, a bearing supported in said standard and having an annular flange riding in said groove, a second beveled gear meshing with said first beveled gear, an electric motor supported in said standard and having a driven shaft normal to said threaded shaft and connected to said second beveled gear whereby when said motor may be activated to raise or lower said threaded shaft, said threaded shaft having a pocket at its upper end to receive said center post on said work table, means supported in said control housing whereby said threaded shaft may be raised or lowered manually and a magnetic clutch associated with said motor whereby said driven shaft may be disengaged while said manual means are operated.

8. A multipurpose sanding machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said manual means comprises a third bevel gear in mesh with said first bevel gear, a shaft supported rotatably in said control housing and normal to said threaded shaft, and a hand wheel connected to said shaft for rotating said shaft and third bevel gear.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 159,574 2/1875 Hepp 51-120 995,019 6/1911 Lardinois 5l120 1,831,958 11/1931 Indge et al.

JAMES L. JONES, 111., Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 51-125 

